October is Eczema Awareness Month

Do you think ECZEMA is “no big deal”?

Then you probably are not living with it. Eczema can range from mild to severe, even making day to day living miserable for those who suffer with it. Generally, people with eczema experience dry, sensitive skin, intense itching and inflammation. If you live in a dry climate, such as Colorado, your inflammation can be aggravated.

The National Eczema Association has put together some very eye opening material that can help us all to understand what it is like to live with Eczema.

What is Eczema?

The word “Eczema” comes from a Greek word that means “break out” or “boil over”. Eczema basically means irritated skin. Atopic Dermatitis (which is often also called eczema) is an itchy rash that can appear all over the body, especially on the elbows or behind their knees. Doctors haven’t yet confirmed why some kids and adults get eczema, while others don’t. There could be several reasons according to the American Academy of Dermatology:

Family: If your mom, dad, brothers, or sisters have eczema, you might get it too.

Asthma and allergies: If you have asthma (a disease that can make it hard to breathe) or allergies (when your immune system tries to protect you from normal things that aren’t hurting you), you’re more likely to get eczema.

Where you live: Eczema is more common in cities, polluted areas and in the northern part of the world.

The rash that shows up from eczema is different for each person and the areas of your body that are affected can also change. Rashes can range from mild to severe and generally, people with eczema suffer from dry, sensitive skin. Eczema is notorious for the intense itching it causes. If you live in a dry climate, such as Colorado, your inflammation can be aggravated.

Other common triggers are:

For children with severe eczema, the pain and itching can be debilitating and the outbreaks embarrassing. The National Eczema Association has put together a wonderful brochure made by children who are suffering with the skin disease. You can read “Eczema from a Child’s Perspective by clicking here. The brochure is accompanied by drawings, like the one on the right, that truly show how children feel when they have eczema.

We received the letter below from a mom who’s son is suffering with eczema. Please read on and support this important walk!

My son Christopher has had severe atopic dermatitis since he was 6 months old. So many people think this disease is just an itchy patch of skin that some cream will get better. What they don’t know is eczema is so much more: sleepless nights, feelings of hopelessness, anguish from the discomfort and itch. To witness your family member suffer in their own skin is heartbreaking.

We need to stand up and educate people, and work together to find a cure for eczema.That’s why my family and I formed the ‘Christopher’s Itch Warriors’ walk team for Itching for a Cure in New Jersey last year. It was such a rewarding experience being part of the walk! This year, even though we can’t be in Los Angeles for the walk on October 5, we’re taking action again as a “virtual” walk team.

Join me and Christopher: make our voices heard. Let’s walk together and take those steps toward finding a cure for everyone with eczema.

Please register or pledge today: itchingforacure.org

Thank you,

Tracy

Christopher’s Itch Warriors

You can request a free packet of educational materials from the National Eczema Association or visit nationaleczema.org for support.